Is Edmonton expensive to visit?
Edmonton is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
Edmonton can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including taking public transit and looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $90 (CA$125) per day, mid-range travelers spend $189 (CA$263) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $417 (CA$581) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Edmonton.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Edmonton is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Jekyll Island or Durango.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Edmonton Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Edmonton?
The average Edmonton trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Edmonton travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Edmonton cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to keep realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many people think they can visit Edmonton cheaply, but most travelers aren't comfortable with an extreme "shoestring" budget. Consider what you truly enjoy on vacation. Do you prefer resorts, vacation homes, or hostels? Is experiencing attractions and dining important to you? Your budget and itinerary will depend on your answers to these questions.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $90 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Thankfully, Edmonton is home to plenty of hostels, including HI Edmonton. In these hostels, you can find economical dorm accommodations and a fun social atmosphere, but amenities are typically limited.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Most visitors to Edmonton will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $189 per person, per day.
There are a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals in Edmonton. If you're traveling with others, you'll share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, so costs will be split accordingly, saving money. When traveling as a family, you'll want to find hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Courtyard Edmonton West is a good kid-friendly option, and Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton Gateway is also terrific. You'll find more hotels that cater to families and couples in our hotel guide for Edmonton here.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $417 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the city with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Edmonton to Edmonton Airport - Departure Private Transfer - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Edmonton
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Edmonton can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Edmonton in the off-season is $88, but in the peak summer travel season it will average around $164. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Edmonton to range from $68 to $224. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Edmonton for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $200 (CA$279). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $100 (CA$140) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Edmonton? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Edmonton include:
- Varscona Hotel on Whyte starting at $116
- The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald starting at $178
- Matrix Hotel starting at $110
- Continental Inn & Suites starting at $74
- Staybridge Suites West Edmonton an IHG Hotel starting at $110
Staying further from the city in Edmonton could save you money with the help of a good public transit system, but higher transportation costs and a longer commute could be a downside.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid summer), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Edmonton
Edmonton offers a decent public transit system that reaches many must-see spots. The city has both bus and light rail systems. For a cheaper and quicker way to explore, public transit is a solid option when it's nearby. Taxis and rideshares are also plentiful in the city.
In some areas, Edmonton is relatively walkable, allowing you to enjoy the sights with ease. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (good)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $78 (CA$109) per person, per day, on local transportation in Edmonton. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Edmonton is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$78
CA$109
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Departure Transfer from Edmonton to Edmonton Airport YEG for $42 details
- Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer for $42 details
How much does it cost to go to Edmonton? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Edmonton will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Edmonton
Food choices in Edmonton are few and not the best. It's advisable to save your money for experiences that offer more value than dining out. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Edmonton can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Edmonton is $27 (CA$38) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$27
CA$38
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Edmonton is around $27 (CA$38) per person, with previous travelers spending from $11 to $67. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Edmonton are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $8
- Lunch: $4 to $11
- Dinner: $8 to $19
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Dining in Edmonton is relatively diverse, but you'll find most of the restaurants in one of two areas. The downtown area has both chain and local restaurants and is a good place to explore if you're looking for interesting food. Also head to Whyte Avenue which has some interesting restaurants. West Edmonton Mall is another good place to hit up for a meal.
There is a diversity of food options with a good representation of ethnic cuisines. Options include Ethiopian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Italian, among many others.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also better for the environment.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Typical food prices in Edmonton, as reported by previous travelers, are outlined below. These costs offer a snapshot of what meals might cost in the city. Your personal expenses will vary depending on the type of dining experiences you choose and the dishes you order.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Edmonton
Tourists can't resist Edmonton, especially for its well-known museums and attractions, nightlife, family-friendly activities, and romance.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Edmonton typically cost an average of $90 (CA$125) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$90
CA$125
Some of the more popular sights around town include the Alberta Legislature, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum, Fort Edmonton Park, Elk Island National Park of Canada, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, and seeing the Aurora Borealis or northern lights.
Elk Island National park has the highest density of hoofed mammals per square km for any wild area, with the exception of the Serengeti Plains of Africa. The park is 20 minutes to the east of the city and is a great place to see wood bison, elk and moose. There are also more than 250 species of birds.
Another interesting place to visit is the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. It's located about 25 minutes east of the city and is near the Elk Island National Park. This is a historic site that highlights Ukrainian settlements in East Central Alberta. The site has more than 30 historic buildings including three churches, a grain elevator, a blacksmith shop and a sod hut.
During the summer months, Edmonton hosts a wide variety of festivals. The city has a lively performing arts scene and there are many hiking trails and natural areas that you can explore in the nearby areas. Hiking, biking, and cross country skiing are all popular activities. During the summer months there are also a decent number of golf courses that you can play on. There are three public courses in the city limits and several outside of town as well.
Museums and Attractions:
Edmonton is famous for its world-class museums and historic sites. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Shopping:
Shopping here is something you definitely shouldn't overlook. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Edmonton. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Edmonton Food Bike Tour for $145 details
- The Best of Edmonton Walking Tour for $221 details
- Summer Sunset Cruise (2Hr Tour) for $87 details
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.